Water Tests

[andyboy!!]

Hi

I have just bought a testing kit. I did a 25% change last weekend (usually every 2 weeks) but I'm going to start doing 10% changes weekly. I am going to do one today. It's a fairly mature tank. I usually get them done at the pet shop.

Whats the best strategy for testing the water? I was thinking do one before the change, then one after. Then towards the middle of next week, then just before next weeks water change. Does this sound okay?

Thanks. Andy.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

IMO it depends how mature your tank is.

with a new tank you should be tesing at least weekly if not twice a week to make sure everythings OK.

Once your tank's mature you don't need to do it so often. The tanks I've had running for yrs I only really test when there's a problem or for a few weeks after adding new fish as I know my routine of water changes and filter cleaning works and keeps the levels stable so I don't need to do it all the time.

I don't think there's a lot of point testing after water changes unless you've spotted a problem before you tested, then you can test to make sure it's sorted out. If it's a new tank I'd do it just before your weekly change then again half way through the week. Unless there's a problem with the levels in which case you should be doing daily checks and changes until it's sorted.